A permit is not optional for egress window installation in Calgary — it's a legal requirement. Here's exactly what the Alberta Building Code requires, what permits cost, and how we handle the process for you.
The following minimums are set by the National Building Code of Canada (Alberta Edition) and enforced by the City of Calgary through the permit and inspection process. Every egress window we install meets or exceeds these specifications.
The openable portion of the window must provide a clear, unobstructed opening of at least 0.35 square metres (3.77 sq ft). This is measured when the window is fully open — not the glass area or frame size.
Neither the height nor the width of the clear opening can be less than 380 mm (15 inches). A window that meets the area requirement but is too narrow in one dimension still fails code.
The bottom of the window opening (the sill) must be no more than 1.5 metres (approximately 5 feet) above the finished floor level. This ensures the window is reachable for emergency egress by most people.
The window well must provide at least 760 mm (30 inches) of clear space in front of the egress window. This allows the window to fully open and provides enough room to exit the basement in an emergency.
If your window well exceeds approximately 44 inches (1.1 metres) in depth, the building code requires a permanently affixed ladder or steps inside the well. We supply and install galvanized ladders where required.
The egress window must be operable from inside the building without requiring a key, tool, or special knowledge. This applies to the window itself and any cover installed over the window well.
A building permit isn't just a box to tick — it protects you legally and ensures the work is inspected and signed off. Here's how the process works in Calgary.
A building permit must be submitted to the City of Calgary before work begins. The application includes the property address, scope of work, and window location. This can be done online through the City's development and building portal. We handle this on your behalf as part of our permit obtaining service.
If your window well will project into a required side yard setback, a development permit may also be required before the building permit is issued. This is common in homes where the window is close to a property line. We assess this during the quoting process so you know what to expect before we start.
Before excavation begins, underground utility lines — gas, water, sewer, electrical — must be located and marked. This is required by law and protects your property and our crew. Contact Alberta One-Call (1-800-242-3447) or we handle this as part of your project.
Once the permit is approved, installation proceeds. A City of Calgary building inspector will then inspect the completed egress window to confirm it meets the Alberta Building Code requirements. We build every installation to pass inspection the first time.
These are City of Calgary fees — separate from our installation pricing. We can handle the permit application on your behalf as an optional add-on service.
Permit fees are set by the City of Calgary and subject to change. The building permit fee scales with the value of the work — the figure above reflects a typical egress window installation at the starting fee tier. Contact us for current estimates.
Permit applications, paperwork, and dealing with the City takes time and knowledge of the process. We offer permit obtaining as an optional add-on service — we handle the application and coordinate the inspection so you don't have to.
Ask about permit obtaining services when you request your quote.
Get a Quote with Permits →Some companies offer to do egress window work without pulling a permit. Here's why that creates real problems for you as the homeowner.
When you sell your home, unpermitted structural work is a disclosure issue. A home inspector will find the window. If no permit was pulled, you may be required to have it inspected retroactively — or the buyer may walk. Unpermitted egress windows routinely kill real estate deals.
Your home insurer expects structural work to be permitted and inspected. If a claim arises related to an unpermitted egress window — water damage, structural issue, or worse — your claim may be denied or your policy voided. The permit is your protection, not just the City's.
If you're building a legal secondary suite in Calgary, the City will inspect and sign off on the suite before you can rent it legally. Any egress window without a permit will fail that inspection — and you'll need to pull the permit retroactively before suite approval is granted.
The egress window code requirements exist because fires kill people. A window that is too small, too high, or poorly installed is not a real emergency exit. The permit and inspection process ensures the window actually works as a means of escape when it matters most.
Yes. A building permit from the City of Calgary is required for all new egress window installations. The permit must be approved before work begins. A development permit may also be required if your window well projects into a required side yard setback.
Building permit fees in Calgary start at approximately $333.84 for an egress window installation. This is a City of Calgary fee paid directly to the City — it's separate from our installation pricing. We can handle the permit application on your behalf as an optional add-on service.
The Alberta Building Code requires a minimum unobstructed clear opening of 0.35 m² (3.77 sq ft), with no single dimension (height or width) smaller than 380 mm (15 inches). The sill height must be no more than 1.5 metres above the finished floor level. These are the minimums — we build every window to meet them.
Technically you can — but you should not. Unpermitted egress work creates problems when you sell the home, can void your insurance coverage, and will fail a City inspection for legal suite approval. It's also structurally risky — cutting a foundation opening without a permit means no inspection to confirm it was done safely. We strongly recommend every installation be properly permitted.
Yes — permit obtaining is available as an optional add-on service. We handle the City of Calgary building permit application, coordinate utility locates, and manage the inspection process. Ask about this when you request your quote.
Building permit processing times at the City of Calgary vary. Straightforward residential permits are typically processed within a few business days to a couple of weeks. We factor expected permit timelines into our project scheduling. Development permits, if required, can take longer.
Add permit obtaining services to your installation quote — we take care of the paperwork.